FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Matthew Golden
Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
6-foot-0 | 195 Pounds
Background
Matthe Golden is a Houston native who originally attended Houston, starting eight out of 11 games played as a freshman in 2022 and catching 38-584-7 (15.4). Followed that up with a line of 38-404-6 (10.6) over nine games in 2023. He then transferred to Texas, where he posted a line of 58-987-9 (17.0) this year before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft
Positives
Three-year starter who established himself as Texas’ leading receiver this season and enjoyed his best campaign. Primarily a flanker but gets frequently moved around the formation, taking snaps both outside and inside, on and behind the line of scrimmage and occasionally from motion. Shows good suddenness and some violence in his hands to release against press coverage; often uses stutter steps to release.
Golden possesses very good acceleration to eat up cushions against off-coverage, and was an effective deep threat this past season. Runs a variety of routes to different levels of the field, and is willing to work the middle; there are a lot of hooks, in/out-routes, hitches, overs and other patterns of that nature on his tape.
Looks good at the route stem, with consistent hip sink and some snap; moreover, doesn’t have to shift down much into and out of his breaks. Knows how to use tempo changes to freeze defenders and create windows. Shows some ability to improvise and get open when the play breaks down. Flexibility allows him to adjust to throws away from his frame, with good concentration and toughness when working over the middle.
Awareness and footwork near the sidelines are impressive. Caught just under half of his career targets in traffic, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), and 11/18 (61.1%) this past year. Golden is competitive after the catch, fighting for additional yardage. Shows good effort as a blocker to work through contact. Was a dangerous kick returner at Houston.
Negatives
Size and length are closer to average. Susceptible to getting his routes disrupted by physicality, lacking ideal contact balance. He may struggle against physical jams at the next level. Runs himself into coverage at times when working against zone.
Golden doesn’t present the widest catch radius. Cut down on drops this year, but has had some issues in the past. Might struggle to replicate his junior-year success in contested-catch situations, as he’s not the most powerfully built receiver. Not the most dynamic player after the catch. Lets opponents into his frame when blocking and could play with more consistent extension.
Summary
Perhaps not the sexiest wide receiver prospect in this year’s class, Golden is not the biggest or strongest player, but he possesses a well-rounded game with good suddenness, acceleration, flexibility and route-running chops.
Golden’s hip-sink, snap and speed through the route stem create separation for timing-based throws on different patterns and at different levels of the field, which anticipatory quarterbacks will appreciate. Looks like a relatively high-floor, technically refined flanker who is getting a lot of early-round hype.
Projection: Round 2
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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